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TOKYO and PARIS, Nov. 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Terumo Corporation, a global leader in medical technology and the French company Diabeloop, a pioneer in therapeutic AI, announced today that they have signed an agreement for a comprehensive strategic partnership. With this agreement, in addition to the current joint development of the AID system for Japan, they will work closely to bring Automated Insulin Delivery solutions to Europe with potential further global expansion.
The AID system is used for insulin-dependent diabetes management. It automates and personalizes the treatment of and contributes to reducing the heavy mental burden associated with the chronic condition. Hosted on a dedicated handset, the Diabeloop-developed self-learning algorithm is connected to a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and an insulin pump. It analyzes the data in real time, and decides whether to maintain current insulin settings or adjust insulin delivery. In Europe and the US, more and more people with diabetes are using or looking to use AID systems for better glucose control and improved quality of life.
DBLG1, the state-of-the-art-algorithm solution of Diabeloop is currently available in several European markets.
In 2018, Terumo launched "MEDISAFE WITH", an insulin patch pump, that is designed to be wearable and lightweight for patient comfort and freedom. In addition, Terumo is the exclusive distributor of the Dexcom CGM system in Japan since 2019.
Since 2020, both companies have been working on the joint development of an AID system in Japan, with the aim of helping Japanese people with diabetes.
"We always want to offer more choices to people living with diabetes. This new agreement will allow both companies to keep contributing to diabetes care with a real impact on clinical results while proposing safe and highly effective personalized solutions " said Erik Huneker, founder and CEO of Diabeloop.
"We believe that this partnership will provide better treatment options for patients with diabetes around the world. Our vision is for our products and solutions to help patients manage their diabetes better, and to make them feel unrestrained from diabetes." said Yoshiya Kikawa, general manager, DM and Consumer Healthcare Group of Terumo.
Based on this strategic partnership agreement, the two companies will accelerate and strengthen collaboration for AID systems. In addition, by combining the technologies of both companies and further addressing unmet medical needs, both Terumo and Diabeloop will strive to support more patients with diabetes in Europe, while looking at other countries and regions.
"It is our great pleasure to enter into this comprehensive strategic partnership agreement. We have been providing cutting-edge solutions in the diabetes area since 1982. Together with Diabeloop, we are confident that we will be able to provide healthcare professionals and patients with value-added solutions not only in Japan but for all corners of the world." commented Hikaru Samejima, President of Terumo's General Hospital Company.
"We are thrilled to reinforce our partnership with global leader Terumo with this new agreement and expand our contribution to personalized diabetes management via Diabeloop's interoperable solution. Together we will be able to bring innovation to more people living with diabetes in Europe as well as the rest of the world," declared Marc Julien, co-CEO of Diabeloop.
About Terumo
Terumo (TSE:4543) is a global leader in medical technology and has been committed to "Contributing to Society through Healthcare" for 100 years. Based in Tokyo and operating globally, Terumo employs more than 25,000 associates worldwide to provide innovative medical solutions in more than 160 countries and regions. The company started as a Japanese thermometer manufacturer, and has been supporting healthcare ever since. Now, its extensive business portfolio ranges from vascular intervention and cardio-surgical solutions, blood transfusion and cell therapy technology, to medical products essential for daily clinical practice such as transfusion systems, diabetes care, and peritoneal dialysis treatments. Terumo will further strive to be of value to patients, medical professionals, and society at large.
About Diabeloop
Diabeloop's mission: to relieve people living with Type 1 diabetes from 100+ daily therapeutic decisions and reduce their heavy mental burden. Initially conceived from a medical research project, Diabeloop was created in 2015 by Dr. Guillaume Charpentier, now Chief Medical Officer, and Erik Huneker who has co-managed the company with Marc Julien since 2016. This complementary management team works with experienced partners such as French technology research key-player CEA-Leti. In 2018, DBLG1 System, Diabeloop's first medical device for automated diabetes management, obtained CE marking, followed by DBL-hu, its solution for highly unstable Type 1 diabetes management in 2020.
A second round of financing of 31 million euros concluded in November 2019 to speed up the international commercial rollout of the DBLG1 iController and support an ambitious R&D program.
Today, Diabeloop gathers the personality, the passion and the skills of over 100 talented individuals who work hard to improve the quality of life for every person living with diabetes.
